Article December 12, 2005 Issue

Finding freedom

EVEN BEHIND BARS

BY SPIKE SQUIRE

Several years back, I began to nurture my spirituality and serve God after having neglected it for a period. On the first anniversary of that dedication, I took stock of my progress. A need to go spiritually higher came to me in my prayer. I knew I was being called upon to make real sacrifices in my quest to see and manifest more of God's love for humanity.

Within a few weeks, I found myself almost effortlessly eased out of a relationship that had become increasingly uncomfortable, and where my free practice of religion had been an issue. Most people would probably have jumped for joy to be free of such a difficult situation, but I was filled with uncertainty. For guidance and comfort, I turned to the book of Isaiah in the Bible, as I often do, and read two chapters every morning for several weeks. One passage I found was this: "The Lord Eternal, he inspires me; for the Eternal has consecrated me, and sent me with good news for wretched men, to heal the broken-hearted, to tell prisoners they are free ..." (61:1, James Moffatt).

Jesus read these words aloud in the temple in his day. And while it felt a little audacious to apply them to myself, my study of Christian Science has taught me that I have an important mission, and that I am, like everyone, called upon to be holy.